James Lavender

James Lavender, 33, of Marshalltown, died early Saturday morning, July 21, at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234. Born on October 19, 1978, in Bend, Oregon, he was the son of Dennis and Jerri (Garrett) Lavender. He received his education in the Marshalltown Schools and was currently employed in Grinnell as an installer. He traveled the state installing bleachers and had been previously employed at Swifts. James adored his children and enjoyed fishing, video games, skateboarding, fixing things, watching movies - especially with his grandma Barb, carving the turkey at Thanksgiving and writing poetry. He was very giving in life and even in death- as he was an organ/tissue donor. He would give you his last dollar if you needed it. He will be greatly missed by his mom Jerri (who he called his best friend) and her gentleman friend-Donald Boardman of Marshalltown, his children: Skyler Sunkle, Thayne Lavender and Xavier Lavender, his companion Melissa Nelson, brothers:Jason Babinette of Toledo, Matt Lavender of Marshalltown, Josh Lavender of Iowa City and Jeremy Lavender of Marshalltown, grandma Barb Garrett of Marshalltown, grandpa Gordon Lavender of Marshalltown, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. In death, James rejoined his father, Dennis, uncle Warren Garrett and grandparents- Howard Garrett and Barbara Lavender.